Kelly-inspired win can kick start our season: Walters

Broncos coach Kevin Walters believes his side’s 34-16 defeat of Sydney Roosters can be a turning point in their season after veteran playmaker Albert Kelly helped mastermind Brisbane's third win of the season in his first NRL appearance for seven years.

Kelly, who had been playing in Super League since 2015, kicked the ball out on the full at the end of Brisbane’s first set of possession, but overcame the early error to steer the Broncos to a stunning upset of the Roosters at the SCG.

"The SCG can be hazardous for kicking with the round oval but he got his bearings right like the true man that he is and from then on he was really good," Walter said of Kelly.

"He got a try from a kick and was continually harassing the Roosters defence with his kicks and his attacking skills as well. He is only going to get better from here for us, so I am really pleased for him."

Kelly had been playing for the Souths Logan Magpies after returning from Hull FC at the end of last season and was called up by Walters in place of Anthony Milford following last weekend’s 50-6 loss to Manly.

The 30-year-old former Cronulla and Gold Coast star laid on a try for interchange forward John Asiata in the second half and produced a 40-20 kick late in the match as Brisbane held on against a frustrated and ill-disciplined Roosters outfit.

"I thought Albert Kelly did some really good things with the ball, and he showed his class and his experience at different times in the game," Walters said.

"He has played a lot of football, both here and in the UK, but what struck me most about him before we selected him was his character and his attitude around everything that he was doing.

"When you see signs like that in players you know that they are going after something and he was after the jersey at the Broncos. We just need to see more of it from Albert."

Kobe Hetherington, the 22-year-old son of former Queensland and Australian hooker Jason Hetherington, also made his Broncos debut, while Keenan Palasea scored his first NRL try in just his third appearance.

Star forward Tevita Pangai jnr, who played on the left edge to target rookie Roosters halfback Sam Walker, along with props Matt Lodge and Payne Haas led the way for the Broncos, as they have all season.

"That was a real turning point for us tonight," Walters said. "We have just got to build on this now. The previous wins we have had – there has only been two others – we haven't backed that up the following week so that will be the focus for us now."

Pangai laid on a try for centre and former Rooster Dale Copley and ran the ball for 144 metres, while Haas made 196 metres and Lodge, who finished the game in the sin bin, ran 212 metres.

"They have been probably our three best players all year, so it was just about getting some more support in behind those guys," Walters said.

"If we can get on the back of what they do there are some good opportunities for our halves."